A story about sewing, and suddenly, a mention of another human lineage? Yes! Let’s travel back in time 40,000 years to the Denisova1 Cave, located in modern-day Siberia. In the dim glow of a fire, a group of humanoids—known today as the Denisovans—may have been stitching animal hides together. Perhaps they were even using a needle with an eye, a tool that would go on to revolutionize human life for thousands of years.
But how do we even know about the Denisovans?2 They were only discovered in 2010 and remain one of prehistory’s greatest mysteries. Most information about them doesn’t come from bones or artifacts but from DNA—genetic analysis has shown that they were more closely related to Neanderthals than to Homo sapiens, yet distinct from both groups. The oldest traces suggest they may have lived as early as 300,000 years ago and, even more fascinatingly, interbred with our ancestors. To this day, traces of Denisovan DNA can be found in certain populations, such as Indigenous Australians and Papuans from New Guinea.
The eyed needles found in Denisova Cave are among the oldest known sewing tools. However, we cannot be certain whether they were made by the Denisovans or if they arrived there as a result of contact with Homo sapiens. It is possible that the Denisovans and Homo sapiens exchanged knowledge and technology, which may have contributed to the development of sewing techniques at that time.
Sewing is one of humanity’s oldest skills—older than pottery, agriculture, or metallurgy. Early humans didn’t just hunt; they also sought ways to protect themselves from the cold. They began sewing animal skins together, using bone needles and animal tendons. The first credible evidence of sewing dates back to around 40,000 years ago.
Pretty amazing, right? Prehistory is full of mysteries! This discovery proves that even back then, people (regardless of their evolutionary lineage) could precisely stitch materials together—an ability crucial for survival in extreme conditions.
Over time, sewing techniques evolved, allowing people to create more advanced garments suited to different climates and lifestyles. The introduction of thread, fabrics, and sewing machines revolutionized the craft and later the entire clothing industry, reshaping not only fashion but also social perceptions of clothing.
Below is an overview of key moments in the history of sewing, from prehistory to the modern day.
My Opinion
Looking at the lives of prehistoric humans, I have drawn one main conclusion: Homo sapiens, among all branches of humanity, seem to have been the best adapted to interacting with their environment. While Neanderthals used animal hides, I have not found evidence that they stitched them together. Meanwhile, Homo sapiens created fitted, multi-layered clothing. Their craftsmanship helped them survive the Ice Age.
It is astonishing how a seemingly simple skill—sewing—and the artisan instinct to create garments (and likely many other items) may have been one of the main reasons Homo sapiens survived and came to dominate the Earth.
Next time you sew something, think about how each stitch is a step in the rhythm that weaves the fabric of life.
Prehistory – The Birth of Sewing
- c. 50,000 years ago – The earliest evidence of sewing: a needle with an eye found in Denisova Cave (Siberia), attributed to the Denisovans.
- c. 40,000 years ago – Homo sapiens in Europe begin sewing animal hides using bone needles and tendons.
- c. 30,000 years ago – The first embroidery and clothing decorations appear, suggesting that garments were not only for protection but also for cultural and personal expression.
Antiquity – The First Fabrics and Tools
- c. 10,000 BCE – The invention of thread spinning; the first fabrics emerge in the Fertile Crescent.
- c. 2900 BCE – In ancient Egypt, copper needles begin to be used, later replaced by bronze ones.
- c. 2000 BCE – China develops silk production—the most advanced weaving technique of its time.
- 1st century CE – Romans refine sewing techniques for tunics and togas, establishing specialized tailoring workshops.
The Middle Ages – The Rise of Tailoring and Guilds
- 10th-12th century – The first tailoring guilds emerge in Europe, passing down craftsmanship through generations.
- 1370 – The first steel needle is produced in Nuremberg, making sewing significantly easier.
- 15th century – The invention of the closed-eye needle improves thread handling and sewing precision.
18th-19th Century – The Era of Inventions
- 1755 – Charles Frederick Wiesenthal patents the first sewing machine, but it fails to gain traction.
- 1790 – Thomas Saint patents a wooden sewing machine, though evidence of its practical use is lacking.
- 1829–1830 – French tailor Barthélemy Thimonnier builds the first functional sewing machine, but enraged artisans destroy his workshop, fearing job losses.
- 1846 – Elias Howe patents a sewing machine capable of 250 stitches per minute.
- 1851 – Isaac Merritt Singer introduces the first sewing machine with a presser foot, revolutionizing the clothing industry.
- 1855 – August Clemens Müller begins manufacturing Veritas sewing machines, which gain popularity in Europe.
- 1890 – The Bernina brand is founded, becoming a symbol of precision sewing.
20th-21st Century – Automation and Computerization
- 1900 – The Singer company introduces the first electrically powered sewing machine.
- 1940-1950 – The first industrial sewing machines are widely adopted in clothing factories.
- 1980 – The introduction of computerized sewing machines enables pattern programming and automated stitching.
- 21st century – Digitally controlled sewing machines and robotic tailors emerge, capable of sewing fabrics without human involvement.
Conclusion
From the first bone needles to copper and steel tools to computer-controlled machines—sewing has undergone a remarkable evolution. It remains one of the oldest technologies still in use, blending craftsmanship with modern innovation.
Although today’s clothing production is dominated by automation, traditional tailoring and craftsmanship still hold a place in culture and art. Sewing is not just a method of joining materials; it is also a story of human creativity and adaptability.
Did You Know?
In the 19th century, as sewing machines entered the market, many tailors panicked. They feared losing their jobs and that machines would completely replace them. In 1831, furious French artisans destroyed the workshop of Barthélemy Thimonnier, the creator of the first functional sewing machine, forcing him to flee.
Does this remind you of anything happening today?